Posted on: Thursday, July 15, 2004

Hilo man acquitted of attempted murder, will get treatment

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — A mentally ill Hilo man who began shooting at his neighbors last year because he believed they were "talking about him" has been acquitted of two counts of attempted murder, and was committed yesterday to the state Department of Health for treatment.

Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura ruled Damian Alfred Fontes' mental illness meant he was not legally responsible for his actions on July 29, 2003, when Fontes ran out of his home on Mauna Iho Place and began firing a .32-caliber revolver at two neighbors and two other men who were in the neighborhood.

According to court records, Fontes stepped outside his home and shouted "I going kill you guys!" before firing at the group.

Fontes, 40, then chased a neighbor around the corner of the house while pointing the weapon at him, and then entered the neighbors' home. Fontes then fired more shots inside the home as another neighbor hid behind a wall, police said.

Fontes suffers from schizophrenia, had been drinking all day and had not taken his medication, according to court records.

Nakamura ordered Fontes committed to a secure mental health facility for treatment.

Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 935-3916.